I recently challenged myself to make an expanded string quintet arrangement around the theme from the popular anime, DEATH NOTE. My son got me hooked on a couple other shows, namely Demon Slayer and Attack on Titan. Death Note will be the next show I binge watch :).

The theme has an interesting meter (alternating 13/8 and 14/8), and it's extremely stark and transparent: just a melody and a bassline. I tried to make the orchestration as colorful and interesting as possible, using only solo strings. It takes on a much different vibe from the original - almost sounds like something Stravinsky would write!

And then after sitting on the arrangement for a while, I couldn't resist but to add a subtle bass synth pulse, just to fill out the bottom end.

All copyright belongs to their respective owners. 
L's theme by Hideki Taniuchi and Yoshihisa Hirano
Cover Arranged & Produced by Alex Davis

Intimate Solo Strings Bundle - L's Theme from Death Note

Embertone